The IPL fever is spreading slowly. Fans await in much anticipation. Here is another fan and iSporter Sohel Topiwala who makes his debut by sharing his views on the Australian cricketers and their contribution to the IPL so far. Read to know what Sohel really thinks!
Until now, the IPL has been a tale of 2 Aussies. Correction. Make that 2 Retired Aussies – Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. The 2 legends have led their teams Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers respectively to victory in the two IPL’s so far. Shane Warne was 38 years when RR lifted the trophy in India in 2008 and Adam Gilchrist was 37 when DC lifted the cup in South Africa in 2009. 38 and 37, what’s wrong with these Aussies? Don’t they like retiring and taking it easy on the Gold Coast! Well the answer to this lies in Australia’s cricketing culture, their emphasis on sports, their never say die attitude and their relentless pursuit of success and excellence!
First up, lets take the case of the controversial Shane Warne. Warnie (as he is affectionately called) has seen it all in life – highs and lows in both his cricketing and personal life. Cricketing lows include match fixing allegations, ban for testing positive for a prohibited 'substance' and an Ashes loss in 2005. He has been dogged by personal issues like marital infidelity, sex scandals and smoking on camera. It does not help that Warne is a youth icon for many. However, his major achievements include a World Cup win, winning the Ashes on multiple occasions and of course the win in the inaugural IPL. He does not find it difficult to take wickets even on 'patta' Indian tracks and is loved and revered by millions of his fans! To the cricketing aficionados, his turning leg spinners are like a beautiful symphony.
On the other hand, we have Adam Gilchrist – the quintessential gentlemen. He is very unlike an Aussie cricketer (read one who does not indulge in mental disintegration - an infamous term coined by Steve Waugh). Gilchrist is renowned for walking when he considers himself to be out, sometimes contrary to the decision of the umpire. He even walked in the 2003 World Cup semi-finals against Sri Lanka! His major achievements include a hatrick of World Cup wins, multiple Ashes wins and the IPL crown in 2009. A genuine wicket keeping all-rounder, Gilchrist like Warne would walk into anybody’s All time XI.
The ironical part is that in both the IPLs, RR and DC were the underdogs and went on to win the tournament. RR were languishing at the bottom after 4 matches in the 2008 IPL and then made a splendid turnaround whereas Deccan won the 2009 IPL after finishing last in the 2008 edition. Infact the odds on DC winning the IPL in 2009 were 1:16!
Warne and Gilchrist are as different as chalk and cheese. And yet, they have managed to succeed in their own ways. They are battle hardened veterans who believe in leading from the front. They never captained Australia on a full time basis however did managed to inspire an 'all hope lost' bunch to title winners. The Australians do not have 'expiry date' concept and therefore age is never a criterion for selection. Take the case of Colin Miller (made his debut at the age of 34) or Mike Hussey (debut at 30) or the burly Matthew Hayden (made his comeback against India in 2001 at the age of 30).
So the point I am making here is that one can ignore the Aussies at their own peril. Many franchisees have been reluctant to purchase Australian cricketers due to certain 'domestic' threats. But this will certainly not help their cause.
There are many good Australian cricketers playing in the IPL Season 3. Dirk Nannes & David Warner for the Daredevils, Shane Watson, Shaun Tait & Damien Martyn for the Royals, Matt Hayden & Mike Hussey for the Super Kings, Brad Hodge & David Hussey for KKR, Brett Lee, James Hopes and Shaun Marsh for KXIP and lastly Andrew Symonds and Ryan Harris for the Chargers! Only Mumbai Indians and Bangalore Royal Challengers are bereft of any solid players from the Aussie camp.
I am of the opinion that the Aussies will surely leave their stamp on the IPL this season much like the previous two seasons. However, only time will tell the impact of these players on the coming third season. So what are we waiting for? Let the games begin!
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a guest
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... Interesting read. Quite agree with you. Absence of aussies will rob the event of some flavour. But how we would love that an Indian lifts the trophy. And if that Indian is Sachin Tendulkar, then even better !! - vivek |
a guest
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... Interesting read. Quiet agree that absence of aussies will certainly rob the event of some flavour. But how we would love an Indian to lift that trophy. And if that Indian is Sachin Tendulkar then even better. - Vivek, MI Fan |
a guest
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... We dont need no aussies in our domestic league. we're quite self sufficient. its the aussies who need us |
a guest
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... Very well written... straight came from the heart... I totally agree with your comments on Gilly & Warnie, one is a legendary leg spinner and other one is the most demolishing left hand keeper batsmen. Both of them are cricket icons and would definately feature in my all time best World XI... Hopefully this time a Indian captain should lift the IPL trophy..! - Bhawik Kamani |
a guest
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... v nice ...have got ur facts spot on..gd research ..gd article ...but i m of da opinion dat da aussies have demselves to blame if dey arnt welcomed in india ...shane warne sd he wil do sumthin to strengthen the relations between the two countries ...i dunno wt took him dis long to cum ahead ..onnie when we sd we wont take dem ..dey r cummin n tlkin bout their support ...i think dey shld have done dt long bak ...there r innocent students who are being treated v badly ..agreed da aussie players are nt to be blamed ..but dey were sittin like ducks in 1 corner until nw ...so i guess its too late nw .... |
a guest
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... In addition to my above comment sohel bhai....dont make it a one time thing...keep continuing - Nikhil |
a guest
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... My palm still hurts from the high 5's you gave me in Mo'real  this is great Love, Arpi. |
a guest
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... Dude - Great Article. Great start. you seem to be a natural. consider commentary for that matter for cricket and soccer. way to go topsss Dnyanesh |
a guest
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... Awesome Sohel...i could actually hear u talk...truly,straight from the heart....way to go brother...im sure u hv an alternate career path...all the best!! |
Sohel Topiwala
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... Vivek - Im glad I have some company. Sachin Tendulkar then even better. I like ! Bhawik - Thanks for the feedback ! An Indian it shall be.. Rikin - Thanks buddy ! Toffy - Your point about shane warne and other aussies is absolutely valid ! Although these are non-cricketing factors Pooja - Thanks Poojes ! Bhatt - Will make it a point to continue! Arpi - My apologies for the palm thumping! Thank you Don Giovanni - Merci ! Ravishing - Im glad you liked it. Writing is such a challenge. One knows only when one sits to write :-) Hope to make this a habit Saakshi - Thanks. You'll be among the first to read my next piece |
a guest
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... Excellent!! Seems like now Harsha can retire and rest in peace..... Take over Topz. All the best! Varun  |
Nupur Gadkari
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... Sohel, This ofcourse is a great piece and it's good to see soooo many EY comments :-) Hi to all :-) And look forward to more! :-) Cheers! |
Sohel Topiwala
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... Varun - Thanks Varun. Appreciate it. Nupur - What can I say. All this would not have been possible without you. |
a guest
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... Hey Sohel! This one is truly written from your heart....I still remember our discussions on IPL when the auction had just begun for IPL - ...and how can I forget the matches we went for....lol!!! I totallly agree with your views on Warnie and Gilly, they are my favs too....but this time, let's go for the matches and see some of our Men in Blue lift the trophy!!! - Shreya |
a guest
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... Great piece of work Topsss ...... and u must write more often.... Looking forward to many more like these. Shruti. |
a guest
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... Mr Topiwala... Apt that this piece comes from a person who beleives in winning all the time... I think that is what differentiates... these two gladiators from the others....They perform when it matters the most ( pressure situations)... Great work Sohel.... super for a debut article... Keep goin!!! |
Sohel Topiwala
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... Shreya - We're all very passionate about cricket are'nt we. Fingers crossed that an Indian it is who lifts the trophy on 25th of April :-) Shruti - Thank you Shruti. Appreciate it Saurabh - You know your feedback means a lot to me as it comes from an athlete whom I have enormous respect for. Lets compete on this platform too my friend. It will only help improve our writing game :-) Thanks a lot Dada . Poonam - Now thats really sweet of you Poonam. Thanks. Again really appreciate it. Will certainly keep you posted. |
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